Overview:
Free entertainment: Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel offer movies, shows, and live channels without monthly fees.
Built-in options: Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, and other TV services provide free entertainment on supported devices.
Smart streaming: Check device compatibility, expect ads, and review privacy settings before installing new apps.
A smart TV can feel crowded with paid options. Streaming plans keep getting costlier, and monthly bills add up quickly. Many households now want smart TV apps that deliver more without another charge. Free apps offer a practical way to expand viewing options without increasing monthly costs.
Free streaming apps have become a serious choice for these viewers. Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel together held 5.7% of all U.S. TV viewing in May 2025, according to Cord Cutters News. This share was higher than that of any single broadcast network. The sections below cover the best free entertainment apps and how to use them well.
How Free Ad-Supported Streaming Works
Most free apps follow the FAST model, short for free ad-supported streaming TV. Viewers skip the monthly fee and sit through short commercial breaks instead. Many apps need no account to start. A free sign-up still helps, since it saves favorites and viewing progress.
The shift is real. Tubi's chief content officer has said about 63% of its audience are cord-cutters or cord-nevers. This points to a steady move away from cable.
Top Free Streaming Apps for Smart TVs
Tubi
Tubi offers more than 275,000 movies and TV episodes, the largest free on-demand library among major apps. It reported nearly 97 million monthly active users and over 10 billion hours streamed in 2024. Fox owns the service, which also carries over 300 originals. Most titles stream with no account, which keeps setup quick.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV mimics cable with a channel guide and more than 250 live channels. It reported 89.6 million global monthly active users at the end of 2025. Viewers who like channel surfing will enjoy it most.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel arrives preloaded on Roku devices, which counted over 90 million active accounts in early 2025. It offers more than 80,000 on-demand titles and hundreds of live channels. Nielsen data places its share of U.S. TV viewing near 2.9%.
Samsung TV Plus
Samsung TV Plus comes preinstalled on Samsung smart TVs released since 2016. The service launched in 2015 and reported 88 million monthly active users in October 2024. One August 2026 lineup lists roughly 580 U.S. channels. News viewers get ABC News Live, CBS News, and NBC News Now. The app runs only on Samsung devices.
Also Read: Best Smart TV Apps that Can Improve Your TV Experience Without Another Subscription
Built-In Services on Other Brands
Other TV makers ship their own free services:
LG Channels: over 300 live and on-demand channels, with content from Xumo and Pluto TV.
Vizio WatchFree+: more than 300 channels and 30,000 on-demand titles.
TCLtv+: over 350 channels and more than 1,500 movies and shows.
Free Apps for Specific Interests
These apps serve narrower tastes and cost nothing to try:
Plex: organizes your personal media and adds free movies and live channels.
Kanopy: streams indie films, documentaries, and classics with no ads through a library card. Access depends on your participating library or university.
PBS: needs no payment or account and works on many smart TV platforms.
The CW: a network app that offers some content without a cable login.
NYT Games: free daily puzzles such as Wordle and Connections on phones and browsers. Some features need a paid plan, so stick to the free daily puzzles.
Choosing the Right Mix of Apps
No single app covers every need. A simple combination works well for most households:
Movie nights: Tubi for depth, with The Roku Channel as backup.
Background viewing: Pluto TV or Samsung TV Plus for always-on channels.
Ad-free and personal viewing: Kanopy and Plex.
Parks Associates data places Tubi first, The Roku Channel second, and Pluto TV third by monthly users in 2026. Industry observers note that Tubi and Pluto TV together cover most needs. Tubi supplies searchable depth, while Pluto TV handles live sports and news.
Smart Tips Before You Install
Check that your TV's operating system supports the app.
Do not expect local ABC or NBC feeds from Pluto TV, Tubi, or Samsung TV Plus. Pair them with an antenna.
Amazon Freevee shut down in 2025. Its free titles now sit inside Prime Video, which needs only an Amazon account.
Expect ads, and keep a steady internet connection for smooth HD playback.
Review privacy settings. Turning off ACR tracking does not disable free apps.
Final Thoughts
Free smart TV apps show that a good TV setup does not need another bill. Tubi brings depth, Pluto TV brings live channels, and The Roku Channel brings convenience. Samsung TV Plus and other built-in services add hundreds more channels at no cost.
Start with the apps already on your TV, then add one or two from this list. Check device support, keep expectations realistic for local news, and watch the privacy settings. Free apps will not replace every paid service. They do, however, cover everyday viewing at zero cost. With a little planning, free entertainment apps can fill most evenings.
Also Read: Beyond Streaming: How Smart TV Apps are Turning Televisions into Home Hubs
FAQs
1. Are free smart TV apps really free?
Yes, apps such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and Samsung TV Plus charge no monthly fee. They earn revenue through short ad breaks, and most need no account to start watching.
2. Which free app has the largest on-demand library?
Tubi leads with more than 275,000 movies and TV episodes. It also reported nearly 97 million monthly active users in 2024, which makes it the most popular free on-demand option.
3. Can I use Samsung TV Plus on a non-Samsung TV?
No, Samsung TV Plus works only on Samsung devices such as smart TVs released since 2016, Galaxy phones, and tablets. Owners of other brands can use Tubi, Pluto TV, or The Roku Channel instead.
4. Do these apps carry local news channels?
Not usually. Pluto TV, Tubi, and Samsung TV Plus do not stream live feeds from local ABC or NBC stations. Viewers can add a free over-the-air antenna for local channels.
5. Do free streaming apps show ads?
Yes, most of them rely on advertising. Ad load differs by app and time of day, and a steady internet connection keeps HD playback smooth. Kanopy is a notable ad-free exception through library access.